Delhi Crime 2: Shefali Shah responds to ‘Madam Sir’ being called sexist

Since the release of Delhi Crime 2 on Netflix a few days ago, the series has received good feedback from both audiences and critics. While many lauded Shefali Shah's portrayal of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, it also gave rise to a discussion regarding police officers calling DCP Vartika "Madam Sir" in the series. Some viewers took to their social media to say that the reference was sexist.

Both Shefali and director Tanuj Chopra responded to the remarks recently. The actress said Chhaya Sharma, the IPS officer who had cracked the Nirbhaya case and is the inspiration for her role in the series, told her that "it doesn’t matter what they call me as far as I get the job done.”

She further added that neither her profession nor community is being harmed by her trying to correct people's viewpoints. She claimed that while she understood that it (Madam Sir) solely sprang from affection and respect, she wouldn't be walking around the police station rectifying each officer individually. Shefali acknowledged her affection for the phrase, saying she loved it.

Tanuj made it clear that the phrase wasn't meant to be offensive to women. According to him, it has to do with power and respect.

The first season of Richie Mehta's series is the sole Indian serial to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Season 1 of Delhi Crime centres on the Nirbhaya case from 2012 and shows the investigation and repercussions from the horrible crime. The second season revolves around a puzzling case of murders in Delhi's affluent suburbs. The second season premiered on Netflix on August 26.

Shefali was also part of Netflix original film Darlings along with Alia BThehatt, Roshan Mathew and Vijay Varma. Shefali will next be seen in the social comedy Doctor G, which stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rakul Preet Singh and is directed by Anubhuti Kashyap.